We're ready': Community members, NFL players decry potential ICE enforcement during Super Bowl

"Around one hundred community members rallied in downtown Monday to protest the possibility of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents coming to the Bay Area during this weekend's Super Bowl. The protesters lead chants of ICE out of the Bay, ICE out of San Jose as music played in the background, with attendees waving flags and holding signs reading, We stand with our immigrant neighbors and Abolish ICE."

"Hosted by a coalition of nonprofit organizations, the gathering began at the Quetzalcoatl sculptor in Cesar Chavez Park, then moved half a block down to the streets outside the San Jose Convention Center, where the Super Bowl Opening Ceremony was slated to be held later Monday. Later, the protesters resumed their chants as they marched in front of the convention center as a line of football enthusiasts in their jerseys looked on from where they were already beginning to line up for festivities."

"Last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed that it would be providing security for the Super Bowl, which it does regularly for large sporting events, but details were not clear as to whether that would include immigration enforcement. At a press conference Thursday, Santa Clara County Sheriff Bob Jonsen said there has not been communication from federal agencies with local law enforcement regarding the concern that they may conduct immigration sweeps during the big game."

Around one hundred community members rallied in downtown San Jose to protest the possibility of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents coming to the Bay Area during the Super Bowl. Protesters led chants of "ICE out of the Bay, ICE out of San Jose," waved flags and held signs reading "We stand with our immigrant neighbors" and "Abolish ICE." A coalition of nonprofit organizations hosted the gathering, which began at the Quetzalcoatl sculptor in Cesar Chavez Park and moved to streets outside the San Jose Convention Center. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed it would provide Super Bowl security, but whether that includes immigration enforcement remained unclear. Santa Clara County Sheriff Bob Jonsen reported no communication from federal agencies to local law enforcement about potential immigration sweeps. Thousands of students also walked out of classes in recent weeks to protest ICE and its funding.

Read at www.mercurynews.com